Method and apparatus for producing zinc dust



Oct. 23,- 1928. 1,688,426

v F. P. LANNON, JR

. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ZINC DUST F iled Feb. 1, 1927 Coqde'nser' INVENTOR vHIS ATTORNEY and condensing point 35 the temperature Patented Oct. 23, 1 928.

' UNITED STA TES PATENT OFFICE."

SAND SPRINGS, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR 'ro Ami-131cm OF NEW YORK,.N. Y., A CORPORATION Oil KETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ZINC DUST.

Application filed February This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the production of zinc dust from zinc bearing'material, and-relates particularly to the method of treating the fumes 5 from a zinc retort of high grade and uniform quality continuously and rapidly.

When zinc bearing material is properly heated in a suitable retort of any well-known type zine fumes or vapor is produced which g introduced into-a chamber or c0nis then denser having a relatively-large volume compared to the retort and having a temperature in some portion thereof below the coalescing of the vapor. Ordinarily the vapor is allowed to disseminate graduall through receptac e at a rate determined by the currents induced by the incoming fumes, its condensation into dust, and various other factors. Under such circumstances the por-.

tion of the chamber or condenser near the inlet from the retort becomes heated to a high temperature approximating the'temperature of the retort.

This invention relates to a method and means for reducing the temperature of' the portion of the condensingchamber at and adjacent to the inlet from the retort by producing and maintaining a comparatively rapid and continuous circulation of any vapor within the condenser, thereby subjecting the incoming fumes to -a maximum initial drop in temperature, and in effectequalizing throughout the condenser and establishing a lower average temperature for the condensing chamber as a whole.

The invention'also provides for circulating the vapor from one portion-of the con-' 40 denser to another portion thereof through a suitable conduit which may be in whole or in part external to the condenser and by means of the radiating surface of said conduit contribute to the rapid cooling of the vapor.

The invention further consists in the new and novel features of operation and combinations of steps" in the process hereinafter described and also in the new and novel features of construction and combinations 0 parts, hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings I have so as to produce zinc dust the condenser chamber or- 1, 1927. Serial No. 165,227.

shown for purposes of illustration one form of mechanism with certain modifications thereof adapted for practicing my invention, in which v Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation in elevation of a zinc retort, a condenser, a conduit therebetween and a fan mounted within the condenser for circulating zinc vapors therein;

Fig. 2 is a similar diagrammatic representation with the fan shown mounted at the opening of the condenser, through which the conduit from the retort discharges;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of a retort connected to acondenser through a by-pass pipe in which is positioned a fan adapted to ca'rr the zinc fumes from one part of the con enser to another; and I 'Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view similar to Fig. 3 showing a zinc fume condenser having a manifold thereon in which is positioned a fan and from which by-passes extend to other parts of the condenser.

In the followin claims parts will %)8 identified by specific names for convenience but the terms are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

As diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 1

' standard shape and material. It is connected by a suitable outlet or conduit with a condenser 2, which has a relatively large volume compared to the retort and may be of standard construction providing a considerable radiating surface. mounted suitable means for producing continuous and comparatively rapid circulation of any fumes within the condenser, such, for example, as an electrically operated fan 4. Said fan is shown in Fig. lasbeingpositioned to deflect the zinc fumes in a current transversely across the condenser where they will strike the condenser walls and willbe deflected along said walls at a high rate of speed to produce a rapid transmission of heat from said fumes to the condenser walls/ Such (rapid movement of the fumes and of the condensed particles-will produce finely divided f zinc dust because the 1ncipient dust particles as they form from the fumes will be quickly cooled to a temperature below that at which description and in the of the drawings, the zlnc retort 1 maybe of Within the condenser 2 is p the hot fumes or vapor usually-. fuses or coalesces to form larger particles.

In Fig. 2 is shown another embodiment of my invention in which the fan 4 is mounted in the condenser at the inlet from the retort. In this position the zinc fumes move at a high rate of speed with a driving force from the instant they enter the condenser until they are deposited as condensed particles in the bottom of the condenser.

In Fig. 3 is shown still another embodiment of my invention in which the zinc retort 1 connects to the condenser 2 through the con duit-3. A by-pass pipe 5 extends from an upper part of the condenser 2 to a lower part, and has mounted therein the fan 4 adapted to draw zinc fumes from the condenser 2 into the upper end of the byass 5 through which they are driven at a big rate of speed and cooled against the sides of the by-pass f from which they are discharged in the cooled and finely divided solid state.

It is to be understood that the by-pass may .bB multiplified as to number and that forcing fans may be positioned within the bypass tubes or one or more fans may be positioned in the. condenser 2 proper at either end of the by-pass or by passes.

In Flg. 4 is illustrated in planview a zinc retort 1 connectin with the zinc fume condenser 2 through the conduit 3. A manifold 6 opening from the side of the condenser 2 near its top has extending therefrom the bypasses 8, 8 which connect into the condenser 2 at points below the manifold 6. A fan 4 in the manifold serves to drive zinc fumes from the upper part of the-condenser 2 through the by-passes 6 into the lower part ofthe condenser," whereby as they pass through the bypasses they are quickly cooled below the vaporizing temperatures.

In the use and ractice of my inventio zinc fumes are'cool d in a condenser to produce minutely subdivided zinc dust by circulatin them A as they enter the condenser. Coollng is efliciently and quickly produced by interminglin hot fumes which have just entered the con enser with cooler fumes from a part of the condenser remote from the fume entrance point thereof. Also, cooling is attained by circulating fumesfrom the point of entrykin the condenser over heat conducting surfaces of the condenser, as for exam ple by rapidly through by-pass conduits having comparatively large cooling surfaces and into a cooler zone in the condenser. In this manner there is achieved a rapid cooling of the fumes whereby they are condensed into zinc particles having a very small mass, the formation of particlesof larger masses being pre eluded by the rapidit withwhich they are formed or condensed fi om the fumes.

Although the novel features of the invencooled vapor from and vigorously circulating. the fumes from the hot zone in the condenser porizing temperature whereby the zinc particles are solidified as they are incipiently condensed and formed.

2. The method of producing zinc dust in a finely divided state which consists in distilling zinc bearing metal to produce zinc umes, passing the fumes into a condensing space, and rapidly circulating said fumes within said space at a-temperature below the vaporizingpoint of the zinc, whereby the zinc particles are solidified as they are mcipiently condensed and formed.

3. The process of equalizing the temperature in a zinc fume condenser which consists in receiving zinc vapors in the form of fumes and producing currents of fumes circulating about the walls of the condenser at a relatively high velocity.

4. The method of producing fine zinc dust which consists in continuously circulating zinc vapor from a zone at a relatively high temperature in a condenser through a normally cooler zone of the-condenser.

5. The process of producing a rapid initial drop in temperature of zinc fumes introduced into a condenser from a retort which consists in continuously commingling with from the retort relatively a relatively cool portion the vapor admitted of the condenser.

6. The method of producing fine zinc dust which comprises receiving zinc fumes into a condenser and vigorously circu ting the fume in the condenser, whereby th zinc fume is condensed into fine zinc dust.

7 The method of producing finely divided zinc powder which comprises heating zinc bearing material to volatilize zinc therefrom, passing the zinc fumes into a condenser, and circulating the fumes within the condenser and against the condenserwalls at n a high rate of speed, whereby the zinc fumes are cooled rapidly and pass quickly into the solid state without substantial coalescing of the minute condensed particles of zinc.

a zinc distilling means, i

8. In combination, a zinc fume condenser connected therewith and meansfor producing rapid and continuous circulation of fumes within the said c0ndenser.

9. In combination, a zinc retort, a condenser connected thereto, and means in said 11. In combination with a zinc fume con- 1 denser, means mounted in the upper part thereof adapted to drive the zinc fumes at a high rate of speed from the upper part-of the condenser to the lower part thereof.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 15 my hand.

FRANKLIN P. LANNON, J9. 

